Auger Boring Machine

Abstract

An electric auger-boring machine. The machine has electric motors for auger rotation and thrust. The electric rotation motor rotates the auger at a constant rate when the current provided is constant. The motor may slow or stop in response to changes in torque due to obstructions to auger rotation. Electric motors allow for auger thrusters and actuators to precisely operate. A wireless remote control controls motor and auger rotation and thrust from a distance away from a launch pit. Multiple sizes of product casings may be utilized and the auger-boring machine comprises an adjustable adaptor and saddle for use with a plurality of casing sizes.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A boring machine comprising:
 a frame;   a cutting head rotationally attached to the frame;   an auger rotatably attached to the frame and the cutting head;   an electric motor for rotating the auger relative to the frame in response to a current, wherein the electric motor comprises a motor controller;   wherein the electric motor rotates the auger at a first rate when the current is at a first value and wherein the motor controller generates a signal when a rotation rate of the auger is interrupted.   
     
     
         2 . The boring machine of  claim 1  wherein the signal comprises an electric motor stop command. 
     
     
         3 . The boring machine of  claim 1  wherein the signal comprises an electric motor slow down command. 
     
     
         4 . The boring machine of  claim 1  wherein the motor rotates the auger at a second rate when the current is at a second value. 
     
     
         5 . The boring machine of  claim 1  wherein the frame comprises a push plate, a thrust plate, and a thruster, wherein the thruster translates the push plate relative to the thrust plate. 
     
     
         6 . The boring machine of  claim 1  further comprising a product casing, wherein the product casing is disposed about the auger. 
     
     
         7 . The boring machine of  claim 6  wherein the frame comprises a push plate, a thrust plate, and a thruster, wherein the thruster translates the push plate relative to the thrust plate and wherein the push plate is attached to the product casing. 
     
     
         8 . The boring machine of  claim 7  further comprising a casing adaptor, wherein the casing adaptor connects the push plate to the product casing and wherein the casing adaptor adjusts to connect to a plurality of sizes of product casing. 
     
     
         9 . The boring machine of  claim 6  wherein the boring machine comprises an internal casing within the product casing. 
     
     
         10 . The boring machine of  claim 1  wherein the electric motor is a switched reluctance motor. 
     
     
         11 . The boring machine of  claim 1  further comprising an electric component motor for providing thrust to the auger relative to the frame. 
     
     
         12 . The boring machine of  claim 1  further comprising a remote control configured to control rotation of the auger. 
     
     
         13 . A method for installing a pipe comprising:
 providing a current to a motor such that the motor rotates an auger and cutting head;   thrusting the auger and the cutting head into a subsurface;   conveying removed subsurface from the cutting head with the auger; and   receiving a torque pulse from the auger at the motor.   
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 13  wherein the current is direct current. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 13  comprising stopping rotation in response to receiving the torque pulse. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 13  comprising controlling thrust of the auger and rotation of the auger from a location remote from the auger. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 13  wherein the current comprises a frequency, the method further comprising changing the frequency of the current to change the rotation rate of the auger and the cutting head. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 13  comprising powering thrust of the auger with a second electric motor. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 18  comprising generating thrust with a linear actuator powered by the second electric motor. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 13  wherein the motor is a switched reluctance motor.